Part 12 (2/2)

”Yes, he is very welcome,” said the Sawdust Doll. ”We are glad he has come to live in this part of the world.”

”I am glad of it myself,” said the Nodding Donkey. ”I never knew, while I was in the workshop of Santa Claus, that so many things could happen down here. Yes, I am very happy that I came. There is only one thing I wish.”

”What is that?” asked the Monkey.

”I wish the China Cat were here,” said the Donkey. ”She lives in Mr.

Mugg's store, and I'm sure you would all like her, she is so clean and white.”

”Three cheers for the China Cat!” called the Bold Tin Soldier, waving his sword.

And the toys cheered among themselves.

”Tell me more about this China Cat,” begged the Candy Rabbit to the Donkey. ”Is she anything like me?”

The Nodding Donkey was just going to tell about the China Cat when Joe and the other children came trooping back into the room, having finished their lunch.

”Now let's play circus!” cried Joe. ”We have a lot of toys and animals now. Let's play circus.”

And so they did. But as there is a story to tell about the China Cat, and as I have no room in this book, I will make up another, and it will be all about the Nodding Donkey's friend, the white China Cat, and how she had many adventures, but managed to keep herself clean.

As for Joe and his friends, they had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and the Nodding Donkey lived for a long while after that, happy and contented, and he never even had so much as a pain in the broken leg that Mr. Mugg had mended so nicely.

THE END

THE MAKE-BELIEVE STORIES

(Trademark Registered.)

By LAURA LEE HOPE

Author of THE BOBBSEY TWINS BOOKS, ETC.

Colored Wrappers and Ill.u.s.trations by HARRY L. SMITH

In this fascinating line of books Miss Hope has the various toys come to life ”when n.o.body is looking” and she puts them through a series of adventures as interesting as can possibly be imagined.

THE STORY OF A SAWDUST DOLL

How the toys held a party at the Toy Counter; how the Sawdust Doll was taken to the home of a nice little girl, and what happened to her there.

THE STORY OF A WHITE ROCKING HORSE

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